Steam-a-Seam

[Renata L.]

A couple of weeks ago, I noticed that several stores were out of any kind of steam-a-seam 2 in sheets, rolls, lite and regular. Online stores reported back order and availability dates all over the map. So, out of curiosity, this morning I called the Warm Company and confirmed what I had suspected: there is no steam-a-seam in the distribution chain. Why? Because the company that made the release paper that goes into the production of steam-a-seam went out of business so now the Warm Company is scrambling to find someone that can provide them the kind of parchment that will work with the product so many of us love.

Bottom line: if you still have some sheets of steam-a-seam, keep them for that special project that can't use anything else! The person I spoke with at the Warm Company says the company does not know when the product will be available but I'll surmise that even if they could start producing it now, it probably would not get through the distribution chain and hit the stores until June-July. And that assumes that they find someone who can sell them the release paper to put into steam-a-seam. Thought you'd want to know! I've also asked them to consider putting an update on the Warm Company website since they're getting deluged with calls and rumors about why they're not getting steam-a-seam on the street abound!

[Renata L.]

I hope you don't need any for your whispers quilt :shock:

[Renata L.]

I hope you don't need any for your whispers quilt :shock:

:lol: :lol: :lol: Good try, Rosemary! I shall neither confirm nor deny whether I needed it or not for Chinese Whispers (but honestly, I do appreciate your concern ).

Let's just say that I keep a lot of steam-a-seam 2 lite on hand because when there is a sale I can get it for $2.00 a package of five sheets, so I wasn't looking for it, I had plenty to begin with. I frequent Joann Fabrics (kind of the big box store of sewing and craft notions here) for notions because I can get good deals with 50% off coupons that come out regularly and Steam-a-Seam was the ONLY item conspicuously missing from the shelf for about a month. That's what peaked my curiosity, and since I'm a researcher, I went digging a little further on the internet until I saw some rumors on quilters' blogs about it that made me pick up the phone and call the Warm Company. I would have felt remiss if I had not shared what I found out with you all, if you did not know already.

[Rita C.]

Thanks for this info Renata. Isn't it amazing how one link in the chain causes a collapse like that. I hope they get it sorted out soon. I will use what steam a seam I have wisely. :wink: I can't believe that you can get it that cheaply. Over here if I can get it at all it is €7 a packet of 5 sheets. Mostly I can't get it as everybody here still uses blinkin' Bondaweb. (Should be called 'Unbondaweb' if you ask me.)

[Betty J.]

Thanks for the heads up Renata...very good to know.

[Renata L.]

Full price at Joann Fabrics is $3.99 a pack (then add the 40 or 50 percent coupon to that to bring the price down to about $2.00--I love those coupons!). I know one store here in town that sells it for $6.99 a pack and then they wonder why no one buys it from them...they finally decided not to carry it recently because they could not compete with Joann... but I can understand when it goes overseas, you're dealing with shipping costs, overhead costs may be different, duty/customs, etcetera so I would expect the price to be higher in Europe, for example.

[Renata L.]

Thanks for the info. I'll try to find some really soon.

[E.M. T.]

Thanks!, Renata ! I ever so happy I bought some extra when I was needing it in January !

[E.M. T.]

I haven't actually bought any to try - so I guess I won't be for a lot longer. Not that I am at all keen on iron on adhesives at the best of times....

[Renata L.]

I haven't actually bought any to try - so I guess I won't be for a lot longer. Not that I am at all keen on iron on adhesives at the best of times....

Now you got my curiosity... how do you hold applique' pieces together while stitching?

[Paula D.]

Like most of my quilting supplies, I won't run out for about five years!

[Paula D.]

I haven't actually bought any to try - so I guess I won't be for a lot longer. Not that I am at all keen on iron on adhesives at the best of times....

Now you got my curiosity... how do you hold applique' pieces together while stitching?

Avoid applique :wink: :lol: :lol:

and on the few occasions I couldn't I used pins... I took against collages as a teen and applique is sometimes a bit too similiar, I just prefer piecing to patching for myself.

[Paula D.]

I don't typically use Steam a Seam products, but love Heat and Bond Lite. I sure hope THAT doesn't use the same release paper!

[Renata L.]

That's good to know, Michelle, especially for people who might need an alternative right now... don't know whether they use the same release paper though...

On an aside, are you still in seventh heaven over your prize-winning quilt? I know I still think of your beautiful quilt!

[Renata L.]

Now you got my curiosity... how do you hold applique' pieces together while stitching?

Avoid applique :wink: :lol: :lol:

and on the few occasions I couldn't I used pins... I took against collages as a teen and applique is sometimes a bit too similiar, I just prefer piecing to patching for myself.

:lol: :lol: :lol: